Aiden spent the next few days trying very hard to prove his mother wrong. Unfortunately, proving someone wrong was a lot harder when they refused to admit you might be right. He came home on time. He actually did his homework. He even helped around the house without being asked. The first time it happened, his mother looked genuinely concerned.
"Are you sick?"
"What?"
"You made dinner."
"And?"
"You never make dinner."
Aiden looked offended.
"I've made dinner before."
His mother and father exchanged a look.
Ava laughed.
Nobody defended him.
Traitors.
Still, Aiden kept trying. Not because Mia had told him to. Not because Noah had called it Operation Mom. But because for once in his life, there was something he actually cared about enough to fight for. And every time his mother looked at him, he could tell she noticed the difference. She just wasn't willing to admit it yet.
By Friday evening, Aiden was sitting at the kitchen counter finishing homework when his mother walked in. She stopped when she saw him working. Which was fair. The sight was probably shocking.
"What?"
His mother raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing."
"Mom."
"What?"
"You're staring."
"I'm observing."
"That's just staring with extra steps."
His mother almost smiled. Almost. Then she sat across from him. For a moment, neither spoke. Aiden immediately became suspicious. Because whenever his mother wanted to have a serious conversation, she always started with silence.
"Aiden."
"Here we go."
"Aiden."
"Sorry."
His mother sighed. Then folded her arms.
"You really like this girl?"
The question caught him off guard. Because she sounded curious. Not angry. Not annoyed. Just curious. Aiden looked down at his homework. Then back at her.
"Yeah."
His mother studied him carefully.
"Why?"
Aiden blinked. That was not the question he'd expected.
"What do you mean why?"
"I mean why."
Aiden groaned.
"That's not helpful."
"Answer anyway."
He leaned back in his chair. Thinking. Because the answer wasn't simple. Not anymore.
"She makes me want to be better."
The words slipped out before he could stop them. His mother froze. A little. Just enough for him to notice. Aiden looked away immediately. Because saying things like that out loud was embarrassing. Very embarrassing. The silence that followed felt different. Softer. His mother looked at him for a long moment. Then sighed.
"You know what worries me?"
Aiden nodded.
"That I'll get distracted."
"Partly."
"What else?"
His mother hesitated. Then answered honestly.
"I'm worried you'll get hurt."
Aiden wasn't expecting that. At all. For a second, he forgot what to say. His mother looked tired. Not angry. Not strict. Just worried. And suddenly the whole argument made a little more sense.
"You really think she's going to hurt me?"
"No."
That surprised him.
"Then what?"
His mother smiled sadly.
"Sometimes people don't mean to hurt each other."
The room became quiet. Ava walked into the kitchen. Took one look at the conversation. Then immediately walked back out. Smart. Aiden looked at his mother. Then sighed.
"Mom."
"What?"
"You're acting like we're getting married."
His mother laughed. Actually laughed. For the first time all week.
"I'm not."
"You kind of are."
"I am not."
"You are."
She pointed at him.
"Don't push your luck."
Aiden grinned. The conversation felt different now. Lighter. Not fixed. But better. His mother shook her head. Then finally said the words Aiden never expected to hear.
"Fine."
Aiden blinked.
"What?"
"Fine."
"What does that mean?"
His mother sighed dramatically.
"It means..."
She paused. As if reconsidering her life choices. Then
"Bring her over."
Silence. Aiden stared. His father stared. Ava somehow appeared in the doorway again. Like she'd been waiting.
"What?"
His mother rolled her eyes.
"If she's as wonderful as everyone keeps claiming she is, then I'd like to meet her myself."
Aiden couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Seriously?"
"Don't make me change my mind."
Aiden immediately shut up. Smart choice. His mother stood up and started walking away. Then stopped.
"Oh, and Aiden?"
"Yeah?"
"If Noah somehow ends up at this dinner..."
Aiden laughed.
"I'll make sure he doesn't."
"Good."
Then she left the kitchen. Leaving Aiden completely speechless. Ava immediately sat down beside him.
"So."
"No."
"So."
"No."
"So Mia's coming over."
Aiden dropped his head onto the counter.
Because somehow... This felt even more terrifying than his mother not approving.
Across town, Mia was peacefully doing homework. Completely unaware that in approximately ten minutes, she was about to receive a text message that would send her into full panic mode.
And Aiden couldn't wait to see it.